Reel



April 7, 1942. RS. BARKS ETFAL REEL Filed May 10, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 7, 1942.

F. S. BARKS EI'AL 'REEL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1940 a F. s. BARKS ET AL April 7, 1942.

REEL

Filed May 10, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Agni! 7, 1942.

F. S. BARKS ETAL REEL Filed May 10, 1940 5 sheets-sheet 4 FIG-.7.

'- Patented Apr. 7, 194 2- Frank's. Barks, St. Lo

plewood, and Victor G. Klein, St. assignors to Lincoln Louis, Mo.,

uis, Lutwin o. Rotter, Ma-

Louis, Mo.,

Engineering Company, St. a corporation of Missouri Application May 10, 1940, Serial No. 334,422

(Cl. 24z ss') 10 Claims.

This invention relates to reels and with regard to certain more specific features, to hose reels.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a hose reel which permits of freely unreeling and which may be set at will automatically to reel up the hose; the provision of a reel of the class described in which the reeling operation may be adapted to hoses of various fiexibilities; the provision of a reel of this class in'which the character of the reeling action may be adjustably controlled to different circumstances; and the provision of a reel of this class which is simple and compact in con-v struction, requiring little head, and no pit space. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described. and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. l is a vertical section of the apparatus, taken from front to rear, being taken on line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a cross Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to alternative position of parts;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical a control valve;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail showing an alternative form of valve;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing another form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 'l--| of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section of the form of valve used in the constructions .of Figs. 6 and '1;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail elevation of a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing an section through modification;

Fig. 10 is a left side elevation of Fig. 9;- and,

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken on line li-ll of Fig. 10. I

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

One difliculty with the construction of hose reels heretofore has been that once a reel is olesigned for manufacture, it is diflicult to adapt it to the various flexibilities of hose met with by the apparatus. I ries high pressure lubricant is usually made with relatively heavy walls to withstand the pressure.

Such hose is not so-flexible, as for example is a light-walled, low-pressure hose or an air hose. Again, the same hose may at different times carry' materials of different consistencies, such as for example, different consistencies of lubricant. Furthermore, different sizes of hose for the same material, for example different sizes of highpressure lubricant hose, will have different flexibilities. All of these, and other variations, provide different conditions for reeling.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral l a base on which is an angle ironv 3 carrying a central vertical sup-. porting plate 5. The base also supports an outer cover! in which is a head 9 supported upon the upper end of said central plate 5 by brackets II. In the head 9 is a suitable guide member i3 including guide balls l5. purtenances form the subject of a copending United States patent application of Victor G.

Klein and Louis A. Reuter, Serial No. 340,946,

filed June 17, 1940, for guide, and is specifically shown and claimed therein. Said copending ap'- plication and the present one havea common assignee, Lincoln Engineering Company. "The purpose of the guide is plate 5 is a fixed cylindric rotary journal 23 is sup- 25. On the right side of 5 the Journal 23 carries a pinion 21and on the left side it carries a reel-supporting plate 28. The plate 28 in turn supports by means of studs 3| a reel plate 29. The studs 3| also form supporting pillars for a second reel plate 33-.

The vertical plate 5 carries a second fixed stud 35 which forms a support for a rotary hub 81 of a sector gear 39, the latter meshing with the pinion 21. Along one edge of the gear-"39' is a radially arranged series of holes 4| in any .one of which may be fastened a,

crank pin 43 of a connecting rod 45. At the end of the connecting rod 45 is a piston 41 which slides in a cylinder 49, the latter having an enclosing head 5| at its lower end pivoted to said angleiron Thus the sector gear 3 '(see the pivot pin 53).

39 at the row of holes 4! forms a pinned, ad-.

justable crank connection for the connecting rod 45. The gear 39, in connection with the rod 45, 1

For example, hose which car The guide l3 and its apis to guide in and out the hose H which is to be reeled and to form a stop for the control nozzle I9 on the end of the oscillating cylinder 49 and the framework forms a so-called oscillating slider crank linkage, speaking in kinematic terms.

The hose I1 is looped about the reel between plates 29 and 33, being supported upon the pillars 3i. At its inner end it is connected with an angle nipple 55 which passes through the plates 29 and 39 where it is'ccnnected toa swivel end 51 of a supply hose 59. It will be noted that the swivel 51 is ofl center with respect to the stud 33 but this simply means that as the reel rotates, there is a revolving action of the center-line oi the swivel connection 55, 51 (around the center line or the journal 23), as well as the rotary action between these parts 55 and 51. The flexibility in the hose 99 accommodates the revolving action.

The air inlet into the cylinder 49 is shown at the bottom at numeral BI, air being supplied over a supply line 93 which is made flexible at a loop 95. In the supply line 53 is a valve 91 (Fig. 4, for details) which receives air from a supply pipe 99. A valve head H, which is compressed to its packed seat by spring 13, normally blocks flow from the supply 99 to the pipe 93. However, the head, along with the packing 15 may be lifted by pressure upon a plug 14 to which is fastened a control head19. By pressing the head 19, the valve 1I may be opened, thus admitting air to the line 93 from line 99. In order that air shall then not pass to the exhaust 11, a.

packing 19 on head 14 is caused to seat at 8|. However, when the valve H is seated, the opening 8I is connected to the exhaust 11. Thus normally the cylinder 49 is connected to the exhaust 11 through a pipe 63. At the operators will it receives compressed airfrom line 99.

In operation, the control valve, I9 at the end of the hose I1 is grasped and withdrawn. This causes the hose I1 to be withdrawn through the guide I3 and unreels it from the reel 29, 33, while rotating the reel. This rotates the pinion 21 and causes the sectorgear 39 to rotate counterclockwise (compare Figs. 1 and 3). This drives the piston 41 downward, exhausting air through line 53 and the exhaust 11. To withdrawing of the hose there is little resistance.

After delivery of, say, lubricant, has been made through the control valve I9 the operator presses upon the knob 16 with his hand (Fig. 4) thus closing the exhaust port 11 and permitting air to flow from the pipe 69 to the cylinder 49. This sends the apparatus from the position shown in I Fig. 3 back to the position shown in Fig. 1 and reels up the hose as shown in Fig. 1.

On advantage of the linkage used is that the effective lever arm of the rod 45 in driving the sector wheel 39 is. greater at the beginning of a rewinding operation (Fig. 3) than at the end (Fig. 1). This is as desired so that the reelin action does not end with a snap, but gradually IIOWS down.

Another advantage is that the crank pin 43 may be reset at will by the user into various holes 4|. For example, the crank pin 43 is in the present example a threaded stud which is threaded into any one of the threaded holes II. Thus the stifier the hose is, that is, the larger and thicker its walls, or the stiffer the material being conveyed, the farther out is the pin 43 set into series of holes 9|. Being set into the outermost position in the drawings,-the device is therefore adjusted in the present example for maximum stifiness of hose, as for example a large, heavy-walled, high-pressure lubricating hose carrying a heavy grease. For a light air hose,

connection would be made say in the innermost hole 4|.

While the innermost connections of the crank pin 43 and the holes 4| resuit'in a shortening of the stroke of the piston 41, this is satisfactory, because the stroke is shortened from both ends in the cylinder 49. Hence if the cylinder 49 is designed for the maximum condition shown, it is stisfactory (long enough) for all other conditions.

No cross head guides are required between the rod 45 and the cylinder 49, in view of the oscillating character of thecylinder.

The sector form of the gear 39 saves a substantial amount of head room. The constructlon also saves pit room. It is also quite narrow laterally considered. I

It will be seen that reconnection of the crank pin 39 at various radii increases the mechanical advantage between the air cylinder 49 and the reel throughout an entire. stroke as the radii are increased. This ability to change the mechanical advantage throughout the action of the linkage is in addition to the reduction in mechanical advantage which occurs as the reeling actionproceeds in a given stroke.

In Fig. 5 is shown an alternative in which the valve 91 is made as a foot valve, like numerals designating like parts. In this case, the control valve 91 is placed at the bottom of plate 5 and has the connection for line 69 at 9I. Its valve head 93 is pressed to a seat on a gasket 91 by means of a spring 95. The stem 99 of the valve 93 is contacted by the stem I9I of a plug I93 backed by a normally completely extended spring I when the plug I93 is in the position shown, that is, with exhaust port 11 open.- A stem I91, when lifted, causes seating of the plug I93 throughthe relatively stifl spring I95 to close the exhaust port 11 when valve" 93 opens.

Bars I II are pivoted at H3 and have foot control portions II5. A spring II1, acting through a cross bar II9, serves to pull either (or both) levers III to valve-closing position of 93. In order to operate the valve, an operator presses his foot on either pedal II5 thus raising the member I91 to push down the plug I93 to a seat on its gasket II9. This is done through the spring I95 which when the valve is opened is normally fully expanded, or which may be made weaker when extended than spring 95, and stronger when compressed the requisite amount. The purpose oi the spring I95 is to permit ample tolerances in the construction of the foot valve operating parts, and to prevent the load of a man from being applied to the small seating area of the plug I93. When the plug I93 seats, the valve 33 opens, thus permitting air to flow from pipe 99 to pipe 93 and the cylinder 49. Adjustable stop screws I2I serve to limit the downward movement such as is available at most garages. Ordinarily,

such reservoirs are maintained by an unloader or the like at a desirable pressure. It the pressure in such a reservoir is too high. a regulatin valve may be inserted between the reservoir and the valve 61.

Another way to connect the apparatus is to omit connection through the valve .51 and make-connection directly from the air tank to the inlet 6| lating valve is needed between the supply tank and the cylinder 49, the problem is encountered that the regulating valve will not permit return flow of air .to the tank upon compression in the cylinder 49- Under such circumstances, a suitable volume of air would need to be provided between the regulating valve and the cylinder 39, as by making a section of the piping large enough to prevent undesirable rise in pressure upon compression in the cylinder 49. Since these alternative connections constitute no part of the inven; tion per se, they have not been illustrated. They are given simply for completeness.

In Figs. 6, 7 and Bis shown a form of the invention in which, after substantial unreeling of the hose (or its nearly complete withdrawal from the reel), the control valve is automatically set to supply air for pulling in the hose when the latter is released at maximum extension. Provision is also made for resetting the valve to exhaust position after the hose has been wound.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 like numerals designate like parts. The additional features consist in a plate It, with this last-suggested. connection, a regu-" I21 fastened to the hub of the sector gear 39.

The plate I21 carries a cam I29.

Above the plate I21 and in the plane of the cam is the valve I3I having a stem I33 with grooves I35 (for details see Fig. 8). Spring-pressed detents I31 permit the stem I33 to be held in either an up or down position. Stem I33 is grooved at I39 so that when the stem is up a connection is made between the air inlet 69 and the supply line 53. The latter leads to the inlet port 6| of the cylinder 49. Thus, when the valve stem I33 is up, the groove I39 makes a connection between the air supply and the cylinder 49. This condition is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 wherein the mechanism is in the unreeled position.

When the stem is down, connection is cut off and a communication is established between the pipe 63 and the exhaust port 11.

Operation of the form of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is as follows:

When the hose is reeled up, the cam is to the right (clockwise) of its position shown in Fig 6, and the valve stem I33 is presumed to be down. This presumption arises from the factthat the stem I33 has an extension I4I including a button I43 which, after the previous winding-up of a hose, has been pushed down so that port I39 connects G3 with 11.

Upon unreeling of the hose, exhaust occurs from 63 to 11. After the hose has been drawn out (under tension), cam I29 contacts the lower end of the stem I33 andforces it into the position shown in Fig. 6, wherein the supply pipe 59 is.

connected with pipe 63, thus causing inlet of air to cylinder 49 for reeling (see also Fig. 8).

It will be noted that after reeling starts the valve stem I33 retains its elevated position because of the action of detents I31 in the lowermost of the grooves I35. Thus, if an operator chooses not to push down the button I43, he can draw out the hose against air compression in the cylinder 49 and obtain an automatic reaction, although this is not the preferred operation. ation is for the operator to The preferred operpress down on the button I 43 prior to withdrawing the hose. Another mode of operation is for the operator to raise the button I43 after the hose has been partially pulled out stem I33, thus and before the cam I29 lifts the obtaining a reeling-up for any length of hosewithdrawn and prior to complete withdrawal. set to operate drawal.

The advantage of the form of the invention of Figs. 6 and 7 is that valve operation is performed when the operator is near the reel anyway for the purpose of grasping the end of the hose preparatory to'unreeling.

Another feature shown in Figs. 6 and '7, that may be used in the other forms of the invention, is

Furthermore, the cam I29 may be at any desired length of hose witha cover I45 fastened to the standard 5 and surrounding the lower portions of the reel so that in no event can loose loops of hose find their way out from between the plates 29 and 33. On the forward edge of the cover I45 is a support for a guide roller I41.

It will be understood that the valve of Figs. 6 and 7 may also be foot-controlled by suitable adaptations.

In Figs. 9-11 is shown an alternative by means of which the valve MI is automatically reset (depressed) to exhaust position. Like numerals designate like parts.

In this case a bell crank I5I is pivoted at I53. This bell crank has a horizontal arm I51. The latter includes a connection I59 by means of a cotter key IGI with the sleeve I 53 which joins stems I M and I 33. From Fig. 9 it will be seen that a second cotter key I65 joins the sleeve I53 with the upper stem I3I and that the lower cotter key I 6| joins the sleeve with the lower stem' I33 and that said lower cotter key alsomakes the stated connection with the arm I51.

0n the cam-carrying plate I21 is arranged a series of holes I61 for receiving in one hole or another a trip finger I69 which, when the hose has been completely rewound, contacts the arm I55 of the bell crank I5I. This causes counterclockwise action (Fig. 9) of the bell crank and downward movement of the valve stem I33 to its exhaust position. Thus an automatic reset is obtained whereby the hose may be pulled out By having the trip finger I69 adjustable in any one of these various holes I61, the action may be coordinated as desired. After the line I1 has been withdrawn from the feel, the cam I29 first sets the valve I3I to deliver air to effect rewinding of the line.' As the line is rewound, the valve I3I is again set to release position, so that upon the next withdrawal there is no'resistance from the pneumatic means.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. I

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings downward arm I55 and a 4. a aevaise shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a We claim:

1. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel for' reeling a line, a frame supporting the reel, an operating power cylinder, an operating linkage between the cylinder and reel for delivering power from the c' linder to the reel, said linkage 1 having a decreasing mechanical advantage between the cylinder and the reel as reeling occurs.

2. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel for reeling aline, a framesupporting the reel, an operating power cylinder, an operating linkage between the cylinder and reel for delivering pow-. er from the cylinder to the reel, said linkage having a decreasing mechanical advantage be-- tween the cylinder and the reel as reeling occurs, and means for reconnecting parts of the linkage between the cylinder and the reel, said linkage including a piston, an air valve connected with the cylinder to transmit air thereto when the valve is open and to release air therefrom when the valve is closed, a valve-operating stem in the air valve setting the valve to open or closed positions alternatively, means movable with the linkage and-operable upon substantially 'com-- a plete withdrawal of the line from the reel'to contact said stem to open the valve, and. a second 4 means movable with the linkage and adapted to at-will to change the value of said mechanical I advantage throughout the action of the linkage. 3. Reeling apparatuscomprising a reel for reeling a line, a frame supporting the reel, an

operating cylinder, a piston therein, an operat- I ing linkage between the piston and the reel, a valve having a cylinder connection and aninlet, and means operative upon tensioning of the line only after a nearly complete withdrawal from the reel to set the valve to connect the inlet with the cylinder connection.

4. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel for reeling a line, a frame supporting the reel, an

operating cylinder, 9. piston therein, an operating linkage between the cylinder and the reel, a valve having a cylinder connection and an inlet and an exhaust, means operative upon tensioning of the line only after a nearly complete withdrawal from the reel to set the valve to connect theinlet with the cylinder connection,

complete withdrawal of the line from the reelto contact said stem to open the valve. a second means movable with the linkage and adapted to set the stemto closed releasing position upon substantially complete reeling in of the line, and

and detent means for holding said valve in said connecting position while the line is being reeled up.

5. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel for reeling a line, a frame supporting the reel, an operating cylinder, a piston therein, an operating linkage between the cylinder-and the reel, a valve having a cylinder connection and an in-. let and an exhaust, a cam operative upon withdrawal of the line to set the valve'to .connect the inlet with the cylinder connection, detentmeans for holding said valve in said connecting position while the line is being reeled up, and manualmeans for resetting the valve'after-the line is reeled to connect said cylinder connection to exhaust and in position to be-operated by thecam.

6. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel for reeling aline, a frame. supporting the reel, pneumatic means, an operating linkage between the pneumatic means and the reel, a line supplying air to thepneumatic means, a valve in-said line, means whereby when the line is withdrawn said valve is automatically setto deliver air to the pneumatic means to cause said pneumatic means to move the reel to rewind the line, and a second means adapted automatically to set said valve to release the air from the pneumatic means when the line is rewound.

7. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel forreeling a line, a frame for supporting the reel. an operating air cylinder, an operaitng linkage manually operable means adapted upon operation to open the valve for reeling the line in from any point of withdrawal.

9. Reeling apparatus comprising a reel for reeling a line, a frame for supporting the reel. an operating air cylinder, an operatin'glinkage between the cylinder and the reel, said linkage including a piston, an air valve connected with the cylinder to transmit air thereto when the valve is open and to release air therefrom when the valve is closed, a valve-operating stem in the air valve for setting the valve to open and closed positions alternatively, detent means for holding the stem in either an open position or a closed releasing position, manual means for setting the stem to its open position, and means movable with the linkage and operable upon sub stantially complete withdrawal of the line from the reel to contact said stem to set it to open position.

10. Reeling apparatus comprising .a reel for reeling a line, a frame for supporting the reel, an operating air cylinder, an operating linkage between the cylinder and the reel, said linkage including a piston, an air-valve cennected with the cylinder to transmit air thereto when the valve'is open and to release air therefrom when the valve is closed, a valve-operating stem in the air valve for setting the valve to open and release positions alternatively, detent means for holding the stem in either open position or in' closed releasing position, manual means for setting the stem to its open position, and means movable with the linkage and operable upon substantially complete reeling of the line on the ree to contact said stem to set it to closed release position. x

. v FRANK s. names.

LU'I'WIN C. ROITER. VICTOR G. KLEIN. 

